The Penn's Grove record., 1887-11-19

sad, she would say, but because she
was daily and hourly robbing him Of
his freedom and happiness, and could
do nothing for him In return for all his
goodness.
Foolish child" he said once, .'when
will you learn that / owe everything to
you, and you r indebted to me for
nothing? Am l not the most c0ntented
man that ever lived2 Is not my house
already more comfortable and pleasant
beautiful or rich she might be-could
make 1t? Does my business lose any
thing by my not dissipating, as most
young men dop Or do you think i
could enjoy myself moro in the heated
concert halls among the elegantly
dressed people than here in this COM
Portable chairP Or that the grand music
which I don't understand would please
me better than your playing? No
nor of this sadness, little sister; you
heari'
"I promise, Rudolph" she said, aI
will not be SO again-no never.n So
she spoke, and her face looked bright
and hopeful.
He tried to make her keep her word,
but the gloomy thoughts would ever
recur; and the old woman Frau Stern,
who lived on the next floor below, and
did the greater part Of the simple
domestic work for her, was obliged to
hear many lamentations.
"Ahl 1 am a poor useless creature"
she sighed constantly. HE has to
work hard and bear all the burthen for
me. and 1 spend his earnings day after
day, and can do nothing to help him."
"Mariechen, "Frau Stern would say,
consolingly, "don't talk that way.
What could your brother do without
your You are more to him than q
wife could BE-. 1t would not suit him
to marry; he is far too good for the
frivolous young ladies nowadays"
Often had she sp zen such words of
solacement to the pooS ,orphan; but she
only shook her little head sadly, and
would not be comforted.
One day an old servant came to her
In great agitation.
"Mariechen, )" she said, ssif you really
would like to earn something, I Know
how you can do SOD
The blind girl smiled incredulously.
81 earn anythingl impossibleln
eyes, by playing the piano"
The features OF the blind girl were
suddenly animated.
"How do you meanf" she asked,
eagerly.
Then the woman explained the plan.
On the ground floor was a public house
"a small restaurant-where they usu-
ally had music for the entertainment
of the customers. The landlady was q
good woman, who, having heard OF
Marie's playing, sent word by her to
know if she would play for her for an
hour or 80 at about z O'Clock every
evening for a proper recompens e. The
blind girl listened, holding her breath
in surprise. Any one offer he mem
for her simple music-her, a b.
She be able to al something
were only posyiblel
might be able AEo-s- ....
"Look, Rudolf, what l have earned
with my own hands," The old SER
want, Marie imagined, was only telling
ner through sympathy for her affection,
and the laIdlady had no idea of en-.
ploying her. Thus she reasoned, for
she could not realize that there was 30
much happiness IN store for her. But
directly the hostess came in person and
repeated the wisI, with sweet, agree
able words. She might begin at once,
tomorrow, she sald. Only one request
had she to make, she continued, and
that was for her to play the liveliest
pieces she knew. Her customers were
honest laboring Sreopie, "1 usually
preferred cheerful music.
The blind girl thanked her with her
voice trembling with pleasure. Asking
her not to let her brother know any
thing about it. sat least at first" she
added.
"OhI he shall not find 1t out, rest
assured Of that" she replied.
The next evening she came and led
the girl down, Directly at the foot of
the stairway was a door leading into
the restaurant. The room was filed
with noisy, carousing men. 1t was
easy to real the character of the place
in their faces.
The hostess managed to have some
one continually to furnish music, to
make her place attractive. Sometimes
1t was a wandering violinist, or a street
singer, this time 1t was the blind girl.
In a corner of the room stood q piano.
to which she guided her. Like q star
with its pure light shining In q wlldner-
ness, was the Innocent maiden in that
crowd Of uncultured, vicious men.
Some of them looked at her in mr.
prise and with timidity, and listened
for a while attentively to her playing.
But o they took no further notice Of
her. The blind girl could hear the
hum of the voices around her; but did
not notice what was passing among
them, SO busily was she engaged In her
performance and SO anxious to satisfy
the landlady with her efforts. She
selected the brightest and most cheer
full airs, and played increasingly for
more than an hour. When she was
completely exhausted her employer
asked her to stop, handing her the
promised money, and led her through
the throng Of boisterous men tothe foot
of the stairs, from whence abe usualiy
assembled alone.
How happy she felt. At last she was
able to tighten her brothers. burden
to do something toward repaying him
for his great and numerous sacrifices,
In feverish excitement she CROPPED her
way up the long flights OF steps. Con-
vulsively and tightly her little aching
fingers oiasped the coin, which seemed
to propel a current of electricity through
her every vein, so hot was the blood
stream that coursed from her quickly
beating heart. She had to stop to catch
her breath at tn"